West Columbia seeks to add area that spurned Springdale

It’s West Columbia’s turn to try to add an area that rejected Springdale’s overture a year ago.

Residents in the square-mile area off U.S. 1 mainly west of I-26 will go to the polls July 26 to decide again on remaining unattached or becoming part of a municipality.

West Columbia officials are “working feverishly” in the area promoting annexation, Mayor Bobby Horton said.

City officials cut water rates in half last year as an inducement that would become permanent if the area agrees to annexation.

That reduction came after Springdale’s courtship ran into complaints about high taxes and requirements for home upkeep, leading to a rebuff of 348-44 at the polls on April 14, 2015.

West Columbia officials counter that their community of 15,000 residents can provide services to the area at much lower cost.

Property taxes would go up but city officials insist those increases would be offset by lower utility bills and cheaper fire insurance. Estimates on the overall financial impact of annexation for homeowners aren’t available yet.

About 1,500 residents live in the area, mostly in the Darby Place, Fox Glen, Stonewood and Westgate neighborhoods. There are 84 businesses, mainly stores.

It’s a sizable area to take in at once, but Horton says it’s impractical to try it piecemeal.

Adding the area is part of a goal “to expand the city’s footprint” west, he said.

Both annexation efforts come after community leaders obtained signatures from residents of the area on petitions seeking to join the municipalities.

Springdale officials won’t try to influence the outcome even though the area adjoins the town’s north edge, saying it’s West Columbia’s chance to appeal to homeowners there.

“Lexington County people are anti-tax and anti-regulation,” said Springdale Mayor Michael Bishop, who’s town does not have its own water supply. “But cheaper water is certainly a strong selling point.”